Paul’s great concern in Philippians is for fruitful gospel partners who give themselves to the work of gospel advance. But there is a threat to any partners’ fruitfulness, and that threat comes from shifting from the gospel of grace. In one of the most straight-talking of all New Testament passages, Paul warns us off any non-gospel that puts confidence in the flesh. Paul’s writing in this part of Philippians is not for the squeamish–but it will keep us safe!
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
